Tips and Pointers on Blogher for Newbies Blogher13

Blogher13 Newbies need help!

I was a Blogher Newbie at Blogher, Were you?

For all of you who not bloggers or not attending Blogher12–Blogher12 was the largest blogging conference all year and this year it was in NYC with 5000+Attendees! Blogher13 will be in Chicago, July 25-27, 2013.

I went to Blogher12 this year in NYC!! I was very excited to attend, but there was a great deal I don’t know…but I am fantastic at gathering information.Blog NOTE: These are tips, not Facts! Verify ALL information yourself. Not responsible for incorrect or untimely information.

FOOD

You can save a great deal of money at Blogher by eating in the Expo Hall or at Blogher Parties or Private Parties.

If you really MUST purchase food, then hit a local deli or Starbucks for inexpensive items.

Want the whole city experience? Have one or two 4 or 5 star restaurants scoped out and go eat LUNCH at those (lunch is usually 1/2 of a dinner in any big City)

PARKING

Parking at the host hotel is often expensive but convenient. (For example, at Blogher2012 parking at the Hilton was $51/night + taxes + upcharge for longer vehicles)

Discount Parking can be found around most large cities with coupons and Group ons. For example, at Blogher2012 you could check out these sites for discounts: http://nyc.centralparking.com/ or http://www.quikparkgarages.com/default.aspx Depending on where you park, it can be as cheap as $20/day. Just grab a cab back to the hotel or walk! Groupons could be had for $16 all-inclusive within the same block as the hotel.

If you are lucky you can find parking in the street. In many cities, you can find apps that will help you out with this information. For example, at Blogher12 there was an app that will told you whether or not you can park in a specific spot http://caniparkherenyc.com/

CHILDREN and Families

IMO, Blogher is no place for your family and especially CHILDREN. You will be so tired just trying to juggle your Blogher schedule, you will find NO TIME for them and always feel guilty! My advice is …if you can’t bear to leave them at home, don’t come. That’s just me. Remember, Blogher is a WORK related activity.

That being said I brought my adult son, his girlfriend and my adult daughter. They were all extremely helpful. I bought them expo passes and they ate and partied for free. My son parked and got the car, got us all ice every morning, and planned their agenda for the day. My son’s girlfriend did my hair everyday and consulted on my outfits. My daughter (who had spent the summer in the city) helped with subway directions and general city knowledge. This worked out perfectly!

WHAT TO BRING

Business Cards–200 to 400

Many suggested small Labels with your information on it for the cards in booths so you don’t have to keep filling out. Name, address, email, twitter handle, and website. I did not do this or find it necessary.

A BLOGGER OVER 45?

Some bloggers over 45 experienced frustration because they felt “Left Out”. I did not/would not experience this. I approached the conference like that I belonged and I was an even better sponsor choice because my target audience is Women with all the $$! IMO, Life is about attitude. Blogher IS NOT a mommy conference unless you make it into one in your mind. The following parties/sessions/informaton was available specifically for Bloggers over 45:

Poise Party

Boom Box Network Party

Blogher Panel on Blogging into MidLife: The Tension Between the Online Spotlight and Offline Invisibility

Many people are recommending COZI as the app to keep track of all the Blogher and private parties. Blogher has their own app which is available closer to the event but you cannot schedule non-blogher events.

Expo tickets get ticket holders into expo and all parties. (Ticket includes admission to the Sponsor Expo Hall, official BlogHer Lounges and cocktail receptions. Meals, keynotes and break-out sessions are excluded with this pass.)– Cost for Blogher2012 $99

AROUND THE HOST CITY

Check out the tourist attractions that are close to the hotel. You may never pass this way again. Some of the private parties consist of walking tours. Great way to combine work with pleasure!

Links to Vist

Save With A Blonde

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